Hey there! It’s Thursday! And I had a dream last night that involved therapists in helicopters. Not sure what that means, and no, I wasn’t high. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. After the coronavirus appeared to level off, cases spiked in China

The dramatic rise in confirmed cases comes after China expanded its efforts on reporting the spread of the virus. China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 14,840 new cases today compared to 1,638 new cases yesterday.

There are now nearly 60,000 cases and more than 1,300 deaths, most of which have been reported in mainland China. Health officials had projected that the virus could peak this month, but the latest surge has thrown those calculations out the window. [NPR]

Meanwhile, Chicago Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady warned against disinformation about the coronavirus, which poses a low risk in the U.S. “Please do not allow stigma, xenophobia or fear to control your decisions,” she said during a visit to Chinatown, where businesses have seen a drop in traffic. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. In bipartisan move, Senate limits Trump’s military strikes against Iran

The resolution would require President Donald Trump to receive permission from Congress before ordering future strikes against Iran. The measure was introduced after Trump ordered a strike that killed Iranian military commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, sparking concerns of an all-out war with Tehran.

Eight Senate Republicans sided with Democrats in a 55 to 45 vote to approve the resolution, which is also expected to pass in the House. Trump is expected to veto the measure. [Washington Post]

Meanwhile, Attorney General William Barr today said Trump’s attacks on the Justice Department have made it “impossible for me to do my job.” His comments come as the department faces criticism for backtracking on a sentencing recommendation for Trump’s longtime friend Roger Stone. [New York Times]

Former federal officials in Chicago say the Justice Department’s meddling in the Roger Stone sentencing is alarming. [WBEZ]

3. Did Cook County’s bail reforms cause more violent crime?

An investigation by the Chicago Tribune found the number of defendants charged with murder or other violent crimes after being released under bail reforms is much higher than what Cook County officials have reported.

Those reforms either reduce or eliminate the amount of money some defendants pay in order to stay out of jail while they wait for trial. Advocates say the reforms help address inequalities in the criminal justice system.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans conducted an analysis of the bail reforms that had multiple flaws, reports the Tribune. In one example, the newspaper found 21 defendants who allegedly committed murder after being released from custody a little over a year after the reforms were enacted. Evans said there were only three. [Chicago Tribune]

4. Who wants to be Chicago’s next top cop?

A shortlist for the city’s next police superintendent includes the police chief of suburban Aurora and a protege of interim Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper reports the list includes: “Sean Malinowski, a former Los Angeles police official who has worked as a top consultant for the Chicago Police Department for the past few years; Kristen Ziman, chief of police in west suburban Aurora; Ernest Cato, a deputy chief for the department; and David Brown, a former Dallas police chief.” The Trib reports that Malinowski has been floated as a possible front-runner. [Chicago Tribune]

Meanwhile, former Chicago top cop Eddie Johnson has been put on the city’s “do not hire” list. [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. What changed since last year’s mass shooting in Aurora

This Saturday marks the anniversary of the mass shooting at an Aurora warehouse that left five people dead. In the wake of the tragedy, questions emerged over how the shooter was able to buy a gun despite having a felony conviction that should have prevented him from obtaining a gun permit.

Here’s a look at how Illinois officials have addressed some loopholes that were exposed by the Aurora shooting. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, an Aurora police officer who was shot by the gunman talked to WBEZ about what happened that day.

“I was 20 minutes away from my shift ending,” said Officer John Cebulski. “We received a call from our dispatchers: an active shooter there at the Pratt factory. It was kind of a scary thought. It’s kind of like a lead balloon, and my stomach just dropped.” [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• Chicago Public Schools has launched an investigation after a North Side high school teacher allegedly told a student to “go back to your country.” [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Here’s a look at why double jeopardy may not be in play in the latest indictment against Jussie Smollett. [Chicago Tribune]
• Many students aren’t ready for college courses, but are classes aimed at catching them up helping or hurting? [WBEZ]
• Ghost hunters: DNA edition. [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

I love going to my neighborhood movie theater, The New 400 in Rogers Park, because you never know what’s going to happen. One time some dude literally got arrested halfway through the first It movie.

Here’s a handy guide to some of the cooler-looking movies that are coming out this year. There’s a sequel to A Quiet Place, which should probably be called A Quieter Place.

But the movie I’m really looking forward to is Wonder Woman 1984. I saw the first Wonder Woman movie at The New 400, and the entire theater was just gay guys. So a sequel based in the ’80s? It’s gonna be an indoor Pride Parade. [A.V. Club]

Tell me something good …

So yeah, Valentine’s Day is Friday, and I’d like to know what you’re doing for Valentine’s Day.

Kate D. writes:

“For Valentine’s Day, I will be going to work and to an AA meeting!”

And Jennifer writes:

“My husband and I write each other a love letter every year for Valentine’s Day in lieu of gifts or cards. We use it as an excuse to be thoughtful about caring for our marriage rather than feed into Hallmark or FTD’s bottom line. Some notes are short, some are long, some are funny and some are tearjerkers. They all reflect where we were in life and with each other at the time they were written. This year we’ll be married 26 years, so I’d like to think we’re doing something right!”

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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